LAURIE WEIR

When it comes to keeping the community safe, that’s the primary role of the Smiths Falls Police Service.

Acting police Chief Jodi Empey shared with Hometown News that there were no extra costs associated to the police service during Wednesday’s incident where several of their officers, along with a platoon of Ontario Provincial Police officers, safely took a barricaded male into custody after a brief standoff.

The man was arrested and charged with guns related offences. Police cordoned off a large area to ensure there was no risk to the public. They asked for help from the OPP’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) and worked collaboratively to resolve the incident peacefully, Empey said.

A shotgun was seized, and no one sustained any injuries, the police reported. 

“I know that the ERT that we requested were in the area for training, so response was quick,” Empey said. “I heard from some businesses that were very understanding and appreciative of the notice prior to opening in the morning. Public safety is our priority in these situations and thankfully it didn’t last too long.”

Empey said they notified as many business owners on William Street East as they could early on before they opened and posted on their Facebook page about the incident taking place. 

“If businesses were to open at 9 a.m. they would have been affected until approximately 10:30,” she said. “We had to increase the perimeter when the mobile command station was set up on Beckwith Street and to keep the public at a safe distance as they were getting too close. The area was contained until we attended with the signed warrant to enter the premise and when the individual exited the residence.”

When asked if mental health services were available to the man, Empey said she couldn’t comment on that. 

“I can say that in every major incident and minor ones as well (as they work with us or the OPP every day), we do engage our MCRT team for support,” she said. 

MCRT is the Mobile Crisis Response Team which has an experienced mental health professional – a registered nurse and social worker – who help in situations where needed. 

“We also had two crisis negotiators on scene (Sgt. King from our service) and an OPP negotiator as well that worked collaboratively to talk the individual into coming out peacefully,” Empey said. 

A 32-year-old Smiths Falls man was in court Wednesday afternoon to answer to the charges of domestic related mischief as well as several firearms offences, and will return to bail court today (June 27).

Original Article: ‘Incident is contained’: Heavy police presence on William St. E. in Smiths Falls – Hometown News
Update: ‘Several firearms offences’: Smiths Falls police arrest male on domestic mischief charges – Hometown News